On Monday, amid rising tensions with Russia over the Ukraine war, NATO drills using nuclear-capable strategic planes will begin in an effort to strengthen the alliance’s deterrent capabilities.
The “Steadfast Noon” exercises will be conducted over Belgium, the North Sea, and the UK through October 30. While certain that no live ammunition would be used, NATO has termed the drills as “normal” and “not tied to any current international issues.”
60 different types of aircraft from 14 different nations will participate in Steadfast Noon. Modern fighter jets, tankers, observation aircraft, and US B-52 nuclear-capable strategic bombers are among the aircraft that will fly from North Dakota’s Minot Air Base to Europe.
NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu stated that “this exercise helps guarantee that the alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective.”
The Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons organization requested the military bloc to halt the drills on Thursday, emphasizing that it was “irresponsible” to carry out these actions “under rising nuclear tensions with Russia.”
John Kirby, the coordinator of the National Security Council, commented on the exercises on Thursday and noted that Steadfast Noon had been prepared well before Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began in late February. The drills, he continued, will be held more than 600 miles (or 1,000 kilometers) away from Russian borders.
Kirby continued by saying that the US anticipates Russia will soon hold its own yearly strategic nuclear drill. He said that Washington believed the Russian drill would involve activities “within the regular parameters,” such as the deployment of strategic assets. “We anticipate the [Russians’] exercise would take several days,” he said. Moscow hasn’t yet disclosed any such drills, though.
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